Background information
7 successful products invented by children
by Michael Restin
Weighty skirt hems and talking brooches: 5 fashion facts about the Queen
13.9.2022
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson
Queen Elizabeth II stayed as true to her nail varnish as she did to her favourite pair of shoes. She used handbags to tell the world what mood she was in. Five facts about the Queen I’ll always remember.
On 8 September at the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth II embarked on her last great journey. A journey that will reunite her with Philip, as the newly crowned Kind Charles III so beautifully put it in his speech.
For as long as I can remember, it’s always been «Her Majesty» who’s been on the British throne. She was always impeccably dressed, I might add. It must have to do with my profession (greetings from the fashion editorial) that I know more about the monarch’s style than I’d like to admit. No one else has perfected monochromatic looks like she has. Neither inside nor outside the royal cosmos. When it comes to fashion, the Queen was no match for anyone else. She found her signature style and remained true to it. Trends? Irrelevant. Seasons? Seemingly non-existent.
Even though her fashion legacy is by far one of the least important things she leaves behind after 70 years and 214 days of reigning, I want to focus on it today. Not least because every other aspect of her life has already been sufficiently scrutinised in the last few days. Did you know…
…why the Queen always dressed so colourfully?
From floral hats to calf-length skirts, the Queen’s clothes were always perfectly matched. Her outfits covered all colours of the rainbow. It seems she had a soft spot for particularly colourful items. Of course, there’s much more to the bright colours than her preference. After all, a head of state is meant to be seen by everyone – no matter where they’re standing in the crowd. Sporting mouse grey or a play-it-safe black number would make this near impossible. Cherry red or pineapple yellow, on the other hand, make this a lot easier. Sophie, Countess of Wessex and wife of Elizabeth’s youngest son Edward, revealed in the documentary, «The Queen at 90»: «She needs to stand out for people to be able to say, 'I saw the Queen'.»
…the Queen ran a strict fashion regiment?
Sure, royals don’t go through life as carelessly as you and I might. However, the fact that everything from skirt hem length to nail polish colour (Essie «Ballet Slippers») is defined down to the last detail for female members of the royal family – and rules haven’t been relaxed to this day – somewhat disillusions me. For example, bare knees are frowned upon, so skirts and dresses must always cover them. In addition, small weights are always incorporated into hems – imagine a gust of wind causing embarrassing flashes. Fortunately, mandatory tights in nude or black prevent even a square millimetre of bare skin from being seen. And if you thought a female royal at least has a say when it comes to handbags, I have to disappoint you. What’s mandated are clutches or small bags with a short handle. The kind that are carried in your hand or on the wrist. This keeps the hands from awkwardly or insecurely dangling down the body.
…the Queen communicated through her accessories?
Similar to Switzerland, British monarchs endeavour to be neutral in public. However, the Queen took the liberty of giving small, subtle clues about her opinion or emotional state. The most famous example probably being the brooches Elizabeth II wore during the three-day state visit of former US President Donald Trump in 2018. On day one, it was a flower-shaped brooch gifted to her by former first lady Michelle Obama. Day two saw her wearing a snowflake – a present from the Canadian government, which was quite hostile towards Trump at the time. The brooch on day three was a teardrop-shaped brooch her mother had worn to her father’s funeral.
Handbags were another means of communication for the Queen. She’d use them to send messages to her entourage. Historian Hugo Vickers revealed to People Magazine what a handbag on the left arm means: everything in order. However, woe betide if the bag should move to the right or placed on the floor. This would mean: the Queen’s had enough and wants to be saved from the situation. Handy!
Source: Shutterstock
…the Queen was a loyal soul?
Never change a winning a team. Especially not if it’s the team in charge of your signature look. Perhaps this was also the reasoning of Elizabeth II. For over 50 years, she swore by shoes made by London-based Anello & Davide. Not only did she remain loyal to the brand until the end, there was also a favoured model she wore on her royal feet for decades. The Queen usually wore black patent leather kitten heels with a snaffle or chain appliqué.
As for the emblematic handbags, she teamed up with Launer, another London-based label. It’s been the Queen’s official bag dealer (or should I say purveyor to the court) since 1968.
And last but not least: the hats. There’s no way they could be missing in an article about the Queen and her fashion moments. And this brings us to Rachel Trevor-Morgan. The British milliner has created little works of art. Not only for the head of the royal family, but also for various other royals and celebrities. Since 2014, she’s been allowed to call herself purveyor to the court. I take my hat off to this.
… that the Queen got her own Barbie?
It came out this April to celebrate the 96th birthday of the monarch. Mattel launched a doll version of the iconic queen as part of its Barbie tribute collection. The Barbie Queen is dressed in an ivory dress with a blue sash complete adorned with a medal. It’s an outfit the real-life queen particularly enjoyed wearing on ceremonial occasions. The sparkly little crown is a tiny replica of the «Fringe Tiara». Queen Elizabeth wore it to her wedding, it was handed down by her mother and grandmother. Bad news for all the fans and collectors out there: the limited doll was sold out in seconds.
Source: Instagram @barbie
Laura Scholz
Senior Editor
Laura.Scholz@digitecgalaxus.chAlways in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.
Fashion
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
2 comments
later